Stories from Wednesday, May 15, 2013

arl Andrew Eldridge, 62, of Morrison died Friday, May 10, 2013. Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 18 at Coffee County Funeral Chapel in Manchester with Joe King officiating.

Betty Ruth Bledsoe, 69, of Wartrace died Tuesday, May 14, 2013. Per her request she will be cremated. No services are scheduled. Hillcrest Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

MURFREESBORO -- After blazing through the regular season and District 8-AAA tournament, the three remaining members of the Shelbyville Central tennis team saw their season come to a close on Monday morning. After winning the individual District 8-AAA tournament, singles champion Jonathan Smotherman and doubles champs Tyler Merlo and Carson Clanton struggled to pick up needed wins against the Siegel Stars in the semifinal round of the regional tennis tournament...

The Webb School (10-5-2) picked up a key win on Wednesday afternoon at DCA to keep its season alive, earning a 3-0 shutout win. Insub Chung powered the Feet offense, banking a pair of goals, while Dapo Omitowoju added a third insurance goal. Keeper Ben Morris recorded the shutout win in goal for the Feet...

The Bedford County Commission wants to replace E911 funds allegedly misspent by a former dispatch director. An audit released last month by the Division of Local Government Audit of the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury accuses former com center director Cathey Mathis of $46,807 in undocumented or questionable purchases...

Although attendance was down at Tuesday night's performance by the Nashville Symphony at Calsonic Arena, organizers of the concert say they were pleased with it anyway. Dawn Holley, a co-chair of the event, estimated the crowd at 550. The concert was scheduled later than usual and conflicted with several other events, so organizers were prepared for a hit in the normal attendance, which is often in the 700-800 range...

Good cooks, we know you're out there! The Times-Gazette needs help from Bedford County citizens for a special cookbook it's publishing that will capture not only great local recipes, but hopefully the stories behind them as well. If you have a recipe to share -- we're open to everything from appetizers to main dishes to desserts -- please email it to the T-G (hard copies are also welcome through regular mail or in person), and encourage your family and friends to do the same. ...

Donna Magee sums up her reason for taking a gun class in one word: protection. "The society we live in today, if you don't have protection, you had better live near someone who does," said Magee. Magee, of Murfreesboro, was one of 11 women who took an advanced pistol class Saturday at the Wartrace Regulators range in Normandy. ...

The Tennessee Press Association honored the Times-Gazette advertising and circulation departments with several first place awards during its annual Ideas Contest, including top honors for a reader photo contest, best overall website, and a special section honoring Bedford County students...

Rebecca Stringer said she was shocked and amazed to learn she won the Times-Gazette's annual Mommy & Me photo contest. Stringer's entry showed her and her son Andrew acting silly while on vacation. They were in their car waiting on other family members when Rebecca captured their goofy moment on her cell phone camera...

Business was blooming downtown last Saturday as merchants gave away free spring flowers to customers in honor of Mother's Day. Stores long-established and new participated in the May Flower event to promote gardens, home decor, fashions, and more, and encourage shopping in on an around the square. ...

The Shelbyville-Bedford County Chamber of Commerce is providing local home owners assistance in renting their homes during the upcoming Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration, which is being held Aug. 21-31. If you are interested in making your home available to our visitors, contact the Chamber office at 684-3482 or e-mail bedfordchamber@bellsouth.net...

A suspect who briefly struggled with a police officer Tuesday night was arrested on drug charges. Terrance Terrell Hollis, 29, of Ray Street allegedly was upset as officer Tory Moore knocked on his front door following a reported disturbance. Hollis was placed in restraints outside as officers did a "safety sweep" of the home to see if anyone was injured. ...

Financial services firm Edward Jones has been added to the FORTUNE 500, as published by FORTUNE magazine, according to Charlie Williams and Mike Cavender, the firm's financial advisors in Shelbyville. FORTUNE magazine's annual listing ranks the largest U.S. companies by revenue. Edward Jones debuts on this year's list at No. 491, with more than $5 billion in revenue for 2012...

A TV service called Aereo is offered in New York City and Boston and will soon be offered in Atlanta. It doesn't sound like it's of any local interest -- but in fact, Aereo could have a big impact on the future of television, especially for any of you who watch over-the-air TV using an antenna...

Atmos Energy contributed $500 to the American Cancer Society Relay For Life in Bedford County. Mai George, left, and Kelli Burton of Atomos present the check to Rodney Simmons, chair of the Relay For Life organizing committee. The Relay For Life will be held from 6 p.m. May 31 through noon June 1 at Bedford County Agriculture and Education Center on Midland Road. The public is invited to attend the event, which will include entertainment, concessions, games and activities, including the moving luminaria ceremony. For more information, go to relayforlife.org/bedfordtn. (T-G Photo by John I. Carney)